16Hit1600
AlgebraMediumGraph of a line from its equation

Algebra practice question

The line y = −(1/2)x + 3 is graphed in the xy-plane. Which statement about the graph is true?

  1. A. It falls from left to right and crosses the y-axis at 3.Correct
  2. B. It rises from left to right and crosses the y-axis at 3.
  3. C. It falls from left to right and crosses the y-axis at −1/2.
  4. D. It falls from left to right and crosses the x-axis at 3.

Answer: A. It falls from left to right and crosses the y-axis at 3.

A negative slope falls from left to right; the constant 3 is the y-intercept.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. It rises from left to right and crosses the y-axis at 3.
A negative slope falls, not rises.
C. It falls from left to right and crosses the y-axis at −1/2.
−1/2 is the slope, not an intercept.
D. It falls from left to right and crosses the x-axis at 3.
The x-intercept is 6, not 3.

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